International relations

We wish to thank Norway for presenting the resolution on “Implementing the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms through providing a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders and ensuring their protection, including in the context of and recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic” this year. We are pleased to be cosponsors of this resolution.

I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of Australia, the Netherlands and my own country Liechtenstein.

The LGBTI Core Group is an informal cross regional group established in 2008. The group is co-chaired by Argentina and The Netherlands, and includes Albania, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Uruguay, the European Union, as well as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the non-governmental organizations Human Rights Watch and OutRight Action International

As the Committee chair highlighted today, persons with disabilities are disproportionately affected by the health, economic and social impacts of COVID-19, and may experience barriers that make it difficult to keep themselves safe from contracting COVID-19 and to access essential health services.

Minister Payne announces the appointment of Dr Geoffrey Shaw as the Director-General of the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation (ASNO) Office.

The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and the United States Secretary of State, noting the outcome of the Legislative Council elections in Hong Kong, express their grave concern over the erosion of democratic elements of the Special Administrative Region's electoral system.

In response to COVID-19, commercial contractors have relocated staff to Australia (or a third country) and are working remotely to deliver agreed project deliverables. In some cases staff have redeployed back in-country.

Minister Payne announces the appointment of the Hon Scott Ryan as Australia's next High Commissioner to Canada.